Two students writing on laptops near a stairwell in Linsley-Chittendon Hall

GWL Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about GWL consultations

Who are the Writing Consultants?

Our Writing Consultants are Yale PhD students from a range of disciplines who have extensive experience writing and teaching. They are chosen for their excellence as writers and their ability to offer supportive feedback on the writing of others. 

What types of writing do you work with?

We work with nearly any kind of writing graduate students do: course papers, presentations, theses and dissertation chapters, articles and publications, applications, abstracts, writing for public audiences, &c. 

Are there any types of writing you don’t work with?

Resumes and other non-academic job search materials are handled by the Office of Career Strategy. For help with your teaching portfolio or your teaching statement, schedule a consultation with the Poorvu Center’s Teaching Development and Initiatives team.

Can I work with a Writing Consultant from my discipline?

Each consultant’s division—science/social science/humanities—is listed next to their name on the consultation scheduler. When you click a white box to make an appointment, a bio describing the consultant’s department and background appears at the top of the scheduling form. Your rapport with your consultant is often more important than a disciplinary match, but you’re free to schedule a meeting with a consultant who is as close to—or as far from—your field as you’d like.

What accommodations are available?

We strive to make the GWL accessible to every writer. Please see our non-exhaustive list of available accommodations for examples of the different ways we work. And if you need an accommodation that is not on the list, just ask!

Will you proofread my paper?

GWL consultations are collaborative, so your consultant won’t simply fix the errors in your paper and hand it back to you. They will work with you to edit your sentences for force and clarity. 

What if I have used AI tools?

GWL consultants are happy work with writers who have used AI. As it is in all consultations, the consultant’s focus will be on responding to your goals and process. The consultant will not simply offer feedback on the quality of the AI’s work.

Do you offer online consultations?

Yes. Some of our consultants work online only, and any in-person consultation can be converted to an online meeting on the registration form. 

How can I apply for a Writing Consultant position?

We email our job call to all PhD students in March, and conduct interviews in April for positions starting in the fall. For more information on becoming a Graduate Writing Lab Fellow, please contact GWL Director Ryan Wepler, or email grad.writing@yale.edu.

Explore GWL Programs

  • Writing Consultations

    Get 1-on-1 feedback at any stage of the writing process—from brainstorming to final edits.

  • Workshops & Panels

    Interactive opportunities to grow your academic writing knowledge or expand your toolkit of skills.

  • Peer-Review Groups

    Groups of 4–7 students who meet weekly to share feedback, make progress, and support one another on a common project.

  • Writing Retreats & All Writes

    Full-day and half-day events where graduate students set goals and write as a community in a quiet, supportive space.